What size compressor do I need?

The compressor size that you need depends on what you are doing.
The RS uses 8 - 14 cfm of air.
We have customers using as little as a 1 1/2 horsepower compressor to run
their guns.
The only drawback to the smaller compressors is that you are running off
the tank more than the pump and, if you are doing continuous spraying, you
will need to wait for the compressor to recharge.
So if you are doing occasional spraying of smaller woodwork or auto parts
a small compressor will probably be suitable.
If you run a body shop, marina, or millwork plant you will probably want
a 5+ hp compressor.

What is the difference between the Top Feed and Bottom Feed versions
of the RS?

LEX-AIRE uses pressurized cups on all the HVLP spray guns. This is the
best way to supply a consistent flow of material. That is why they are called
Top Feed and Bottom Feed, because there if no gravity or siphon effect.

With a pressurized cup, the performance of the gun is not affected by
whether the cup is above the gun or below the gun. Your choice is whatever
is most comfortable for you.

With unpressurized cups, other HVLP spray guns need very large nozzle
(1.3 + mm) openings to get a decent material flow. With that wide of a fluid
stream it is difficult to finely atomize the material. This is why a common
complaint of people using non-LEX-AIRE guns is that if they put in a smaller
tip for good atomization, the speed is too slow and if they put in a larger
tip, they cannot get a good finish.

The RS uses a 1.0 mm nozzle size which gives outstanding atomization
and performance. Customers marvel at how we can put on a better finish in
less time than their previous HVLP gun with a bigger tip size.

Indeed, a gravity feed gun does not perform consistently. The material
flow diminishes as the container empties, because there is less weight of
paint forcing the material out.

Will my Top Feed RS leak around the rim like
other gravity type guns?

No !! LEX-AIRE uses an exclusive (patent pending) floating gasket plate
to seal the cup. The seal is on the gasket - not the threads. This assures
that the cup will not leak. In fact, at trade shows we use a Top Feed RS
with a portion of the lid cut off to show how leak proof it is.Back to questions

Why don't I need extra needles, nozzles & aircaps like I would with
other HVLP Guns?

Because of the superior design of the RS, there is a wide range of adjustment
in air pressure, fan size and fluid adjustment. Whereas with other spray
guns you would need to change needles, nozzles and/or aircaps in spraying
a variety of finishes such as, going from base coat to clear coat in automotive
finishing or lacquer to waterbased in wood finishing, all you need to do
with the RS is change your air pressure setting with the built in regulator.Back to questions

Why does the RS cost less than other HVLP spray guns?

Before you even start thinking about price comparisons you have to compare
apples to apples.

LEX-AIRE has been a high quality manufacturer of HVLP since 1985. While
others are still trying to figure out how to make an HVLP gun, LEX-AIRE
leads the way in performance, value, and innovation.

Customers have asked LEX-AIRE for a simple, rugged, high performance
HVLP spray gun, that applies the finest finishes in the shortest period
of time. Many thought it could not be done with an HVLP gun. Many said HVLP
meant slow, compromised quality, and high price. The RS is the result of
13 years of innovating, simplifying, and reducing costs.

With all other HVLP guns you need to get several needles, nozzles, and aircaps
to spray the finishes that the RS can spray with just one.
Along with buying the extra needle and nozzles, you are going to have to
spend the time to change them.

The RS has a Self-Kleaning all metal check valve, which means you do
not have to buy replacement check valves.

The RS also comes with an air pressure gauge side-port and and 0 - 15
psi set-up pressure gauge.

When you add up the costs of the extras of any gun you are comparing to
the RS, the RS is not only inexpensive it becomes a downright bargain.

More important than cost is performance.
It is always better to buy right once.
With other guns you are not going to get the performance that you do with
the RS, so you end up compromising or having to buy a RS anyway.

Find out if the company you are buying from believes in the spray gun they
are selling.
We offer satisfaction guaranteed or you money back.
Other companies either do not allow returns, charge a restocking fee, or
will give your money back only if the gun has not been used.
Do yourself a favor and ask these questions before you buy!Back to questions

Does the RS comply with Air Quality Rules?

The RS is probably the most compliant gun in the world.
HVLP laws generally require that a gun be operated at less than 10 psi to
meet the standard.
With many other HVLP guns you need to be spraying at or near 10 psi before
you get decent atomization, if at all.
Many of the HVLP guns that are converted high pressure guns need to be "cheated"
over 10 psi to work and they use a lot of compressed air.
The RS sprays virtually all finishes with 3 - 6 psi leaving plenty of room
for the more difficult finishes of tomorrow.

How long will the RS last?

Because the RS is a simple, well made, metal spray gun it can last a
LONG time.
The needle and nozzle are stainless steel.
The aluminum parts are all anodized or chrome plated for durability.Back to questions

How can I tell the difference between a true
HVLP gun and one that will not work acceptably?

A true HVLP spray gun is designed to be an HVLP gun. It is not a converted
high pressure gun.

Signs of a true HVLP gun are:

Wide open air passages - For High Volume Low Pressure to work properly the
air passages in the gun need to be open for the greater volume of air flow.
The conversion of the high pressure air in your air line to the low pressure
air coming out should happen inside the gun. This gives the air a chance
to "even out" after it has depressurized. Most converted guns
have restricted air passages and do their conversion at the air cap. Doing
it at the air cap means that the air stream is much more turbulent and uneven.
Having restricted air passages also means you need a bigger compressor to
make the gun work. The air requirements for these guns are usually 15+ cfm,
requiring 5 - 10 hp compressors.
A converted high pressure gun is usually pretty obvious. It looks just like
that manufacturer's high pressure gun except for the bigger holes in the
air cap and usually a different color.Back to questions

What is HVLP anyway?

HVLP means High Volume, Low Pressure.

Older high pressure guns atomize finishes with 30 to 80 psi of air. This
results in that huge cloud of mist you see when someone paints something.
It also has a transfer efficiency of about 25%. That means if you spray
a gallon of paint on something only 1 quart gets on what you are spraying.
That's WHY you see that big cloud of mist. It is wasted paint.

HVLP guns atomize finishes with under 10 psi of air pressure. That low pressure
results in a great reduction in the mist cloud and a 65+% transfer efficiency.
That means you use 30 - 50 % less material than you would using a conventional
gun. With the price of finishes that is a LOT of money. HVLP also keeps
the spray area cleaner and the finisher is better able to see what he is
doing.
Federal, State, and Regional jurisdictions like HVLP because that reduction
in overspray mist and material usage means a huge reduction in air pollution.
Paint and thinners contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds (oil derivatives
for the non-chemists)).

Why then doesn't everyone use HVLP?

With most HVLP guns these benefits come at a trade-off.
Most HVLP guns are slower, don't produce as good of a finish, and/or use
inordinate amounts of air. That mean that in changing to HVLP a shop might
use less finish, but the results would be unacceptable. Or the results were
good but it took twice as long to do. Thus the savings from HVLP did not
outweigh the costs of using it. That is why there is such an uproar whenever
HVLP laws are proposed. The businesses think they are going to suffer under
HVLP.

Shouldn't someone be able to make an HVLP gun that is as fast or faster
than a conventional gun, gives the same or better finish, AND uses less
material, creates less overspray, and reduces air pollution?

The RS is that gun.

LEX-AIRE has been quietly making high performance HVLP equipment for 12
years.
Our customers buy LEX-AIRE not because of a law, but because they want to.
They do get the great finishes.
They do get the job done fast.
They do save 30 - 50% of materials.